Dedicated to user56776772
T'CHALLA'S POV
Mother was convinced that I needed to go see my cousin, Erik Killmonger, who did try to take my throne. After Erik and I's encounter, he went back home and I haven't heard from him since.
I was quite sure he was plotting something for me, but Mother said that was nonsense. She exclaimed that Erik and I were still family and family fought all the time, yet it was not okay for me to ignore him. So, it would do me some good to go and visit him, work up the nerve to apologize.
Fortunately, for me, Shuri and Okoye decided to come along. After I dressed comfortably, Shuri and Okoye followed behind me, making our way to Oakland, California.
ERIK'S POV
"Babe, where's the pencil sharpener?"
Y/N, my wife, walked in the room and said,"Check that bottom drawer. Darien had it when he was trying to put those crayons in it."
I chuckled and Y/N hit me in the back of the head saying,"Erik, don't laugh at that. You'll be the one to paying for another one."
I scoffed and Y/N said,"Exactly, but you'll pay for one of those stupid PlayStation games in a minute."
I pulled Y/N into my lap and pecked her lips, before she said,"You can be irritating sometimes, handsome, but I love you."
I smiled at Y/N and gave her another kiss. She got up from my lap, and I continued to help Darien with his homework, but he made a disgusted face.
I chuckled and saw Y/N heading back into our bedroom, which was where our youngest child was.
Y/N'S POV
I walked over to Erik and I's second child's crib, who was only 2 months old. This child was a girl, so we had a girl and a boy. The girl, her name was Gabrielle.
Gabrielle was still asleep, and I watched as her little chest rose and fell. I had had some complications while being pregnant with Gabrielle, but I thanked God he got her here. Erik..Let me tell you that Erik and Gabrielle had a bond. I could tell she was a daddy's girl already.
Darien, on the other hand, he was a momma's boy. There was nothing wrong with that. He was picked on sometimes in school, but Erik stayed on him. Made sure he was all right. I did the same, because Darien was such a smart kid.
Gabrielle began to wake up and I immediately picked her up, wrapping a blanket around her.
When the doorbell went off, Erik yelled,"BABY, YOU EXPECTING SOMEONE??"
I yelled back,"NO!!"
I peeked my head out of the bedroom door and Erik sent Darien in here with me. Erik slowly opened the door, and I saw it was T'Challa, Okoye, and Shuri. I was fully aware of who they were, given what happened a while back.
I let Darien leave the room, and I carried Gabrielle to the front door.
Erik rudely asked T'Challa,"What do you want?"
T'Challa looked like he wanted to turn around and leave, but I apologized by saying,"I'm so sorry. Erik just got done doing homework with our son, Darien."
T'Challa noticed Gabrielle and Darien, before he asked me,"You two have kids?"
Erik said,"Of course we do. What does it look like?"
I sent Erik a look, and I replied,"Yes, we do, T'Challa. This is our baby girl, Gabrielle and our son, Darien. Darien, this is your first cousins once removed, T'Challa and Shuri. This is Okoye."
Darien spoke to T'Challa, Shuri, and Okoye, but Erik looked so betrayed that I let them come in. They all sat down on the couch. I encouraged Darien to ask Okoye, Shuri, and T'Challa his questions about Wakanda or The Avengers.
I pulled Erik out of the room and into our bedroom. I placed Gabrielle back in her crib and gave her her teddy bear.
Erik asked me,"Baby, why did you let them in my house?"
I wrapped an arm around Erik and said,"Because it is time you started trying to communicate with T'Challa. Whether you like it or not, you two share the same bloodline."
Erik had tears in his eyes and explained to me,"It is also the same bloodline that killed my father."
I sighed and rested my forehead against his, shushing him.
I stressed to Erik,"Honey, this is about so much more than the two of us. This is for the kids, too. Darien doesn't have many friends, but T'Challa may be another figure he needs in life. This could be good for our son. Gabrielle, one day she may just be beside Okoye or Shuri, helping out. They could find themselves. You could also find family in T'Challa. It will be a big step, but could you give it a try? For your family?"
Erik nodded and I kissed him, before I wiped his tears. Erik held me for a minute, while I gave him time to get it together. After that time was up, I grabbed Gabrielle and her bear. I led Erik out of the bedroom, and T'Challa was teaching Darien the Wakanda Forever salute. I smiled and let T'Challa finish, then he noticed me.
He went to apologize, but I said,"No. Thank you for teaching that to him."
T'Challa nodded and saw Erik.
T'Challa stood up, and Shuri asked me,"Can I hold Gabrielle?"
I nodded and slowly placed Gabrielle in Shuri's arms. Shuri immediately gushed over Gabrielle, and Okoye watched Shuri. Her faces were very amusing to me.
I sat down next to Shuri, and Darien sat in my lap. I wiped his face, and T'Challa hugged Erik. Erik hugged T'Challa back, and I sent Erik a wink. Erik smiled at me, and Darien smiled at his father, knowing his aggression.
As T'Challa and Erik tried to have a decent conversation, Darien asked me,"Mom, will we ever go to Wakanda?"
I smiled and replied,"One day. We'll wait till your father's ready, so we can go as a family. Okay?"
Darien nodded, and we enjoyed having Shuri, Okoye, and T'Challa over. I had a feeling this would not be the last get-together. It was not often we received company. However, this time it was worth something.
